One thing that stood out in watching last night was the small number of fouls called. Oklahoma and the Cats were both pretty athletic and the ball went into the paint a fair number of times, but the refs let the tricky tacky stuff go and only seemed to use the whistle on contact that gave advantage. There were only 13 fouls by the Cats, and 16 by Oklahoma. As a result the game flow was great, even if the results were not. I wish all refs would learn to keep the whistle in their pocket until it is really needed!
Officiating and flow of the game
- Thread starter eastbaycat99
- Start date
Thought I would bring this post from the Oklahoma thread to cntrast it to this game. It goes to show what a difference officiating can make to game flow. I think we have seen both extremes in the course of about 2 weeks!
Yeah they were really bad officials today. Just bizarre calls. I can’t believe they hit Anthony for the foul when he pulled back and didn’t even touch the Illini guy making a layup. Let’s hope that’s the last we see of that crew. What did surprise me is Collins didn’t seem to lay into them like he has in the past, especially since there were some real head scratchers.
College basketball officials don't work in "crews." It's possible that none of the three will be assigned with the others as partners this season. Football has crews with much continuity; hoops doesn't.
I complain a lot about refs and how inconsistently they seem to apply the rules. Yesterday was more of the same.
I always appreciate the instant replays on the big board when they run them. I want more of that please. Seeing how obviously right or wrong calls are shown to be is a great crowd motivator imho.
I always appreciate the instant replays on the big board when they run them. I want more of that please. Seeing how obviously right or wrong calls are shown to be is a great crowd motivator imho.
I have reffed and umpired a lot in 3 sports, one at the college level, and:
1) Most of my reffing Partners have usually been good, knowledgeable and fair (I won’t judge my own performance)
2) There are always a lot of non-calls and calls made in any given game in any given sport
3) When you blow a call, you should never allow the blown call to influence the following one
4) The soccer guidelines of not using the whistle unless an advantage is gained or safety impaired is great, and I would love it if it was followed in all the sports I care about.
5) if you have never officiated a game, you have no idea how hard it is. You are one person, and there are 10, 18, 20, or 22 players on the field/ pitch for the sports I have worked. You cannot see everything that goes on.
6) If you prioritize safety of play and equity of advantage (whistle plays that penalize unfair advantage) you win the respect of the players in any sport.
I don’t think anyone is claiming reffing isn’t a difficult job. Certainly the majority of games are competently officiated. That is what is expected particularly at the High collegiate and Professional levels. The Illinois game was inconsistent and poorly officiated. I hope the Zebra’s have a good game tonight along with NU.
Actually, I was quoting and replying to Eagerfan, who said he complains a lot about refs.
I appreciate that reffing is a tough job. Nothing in your post changes my expectations of quality reffing at this level and I’m sure I will continue complaining about refs for being inconsistent and imperfect.